News Briefs January 10, 2011

UF Law clinic director honored by Santa Fe College
The University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Teresa Drake will be recognized in March as one of Santa Fe College’s 2011 Alachua-Bradford Women of Distinction. Drake was nominated by members of the community for her work in the field of domestic violence over the past 15 years, most notably as the founder and director of the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic (IPVAC) at UF Law. IPVAC is a full service domestic violence clinic that is the first of its kind in the nation. “I am thrilled to receive this public recognition for the work I have done in domestic violence over many years,” Drake said. “I hope this shines a light on the need for advocacy for victim/survivors and the unique resource we have here at the Levin College of Law Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Clinic.” The clinic provides both victims and students with the best possible opportunities, Drake said. “We should all be very proud.” In honor of Women’s History Month each March, Santa Fe College honors women who have made a significant impact in Alachua or Bradford County.

Journal of Law and Public Policy welcomes Florida’s Solicitor General Scott Makar
This January, the University of Florida Journal of Law and Public Policy will welcome Florida’s Solicitor General Scott Makar to the College of Law. Makar will present “High Five: Florida’s Unprecedented Year in the U.S. Supreme Court” to the student body. Makar’s presentation will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 25. from noon to 1 p.m. in the Chesterfield Smith Ceremonial Classroom, HOL 180. Makar is a UF graduate, (M.B.A., 82, M.A., 82, J.D., 87, Ph.D., 93), and while at the College of Law, Makar founded the Journal of Law and Public Policy and served as its first editor-in-chief. He was also a member of the Florida Law Review and Florida Blue Key. Makar was appointed solicitor general for Florida in February 2007 by then Attorney General Bill McCollum. The Solicitor General in Florida serves three primary roles: overseeing civil appeals involving the state’s interests in all state and federal appellate courts; teaching at the Florida State University College of Law; and serving as a policy advisor to the Attorney General. Before embarking on his public service career, Makar was a partner at Holland and Knight LLP. Makar’s presentation will focus on his unprecedented year in the U.S. Supreme Court, before which he argued five cases during the 2009-2010 term. Makar will discuss each of the five cases and provide insight on the amicus briefing process and preparing for oral arguments. Please join the Journal of Law and Public Policy in welcoming Solicitor General Makar to the College of Law.

Assess your professional identity as a law student
The legal profession is built upon the highest ethical and professional standards. Legal employers and members of the judiciary are reporting greater frustration with the lack of professionalism exhibited by some law students and new associates. The legal community is tight-knit and a seemingly minor incident of unprofessional or questionable conduct can adversely impact your future. READ MORE»

UF updates Non-Discrimination Policy
At its December meeting, the UF Board of Trustees added “gender identity and expression” to the “Non-Discrimination/Harassment/Invasion of Policy Policies” in UF Reg 1.006. This amended regulation is now effective. For the full text, view the PDF. This makes the policy the law faculty endorsed at its April 2010 meeting applicable to the entire university.

UF Law Trial Team competes in state championship
Members of the UF Law Trial Team are traveling to Orlando this week to compete in their first competition of 2011, the Chester Bedell Mock Trial Competition, hosted by the Florida Bar. On Jan. 12 and 13, two teams will make their case against teams from other Florida law schools. Members competing as Team Blue are Alyssa Lunin, Karen Middlekauff, Ashlie Tarpley, and Trae Weingardt. Members competing as Team Orange are Frank Fischer, Andrea Nieto, Brandon Rose, and Brian Rush. Rhett Parker and James Baley are supporting the team as researchers. Tania Alavi and Nick Zissimopulos are the team coaches. UF Law Trial Team won the competition in 2010 and has won the competition a total of six times. Wish them luck as they defend UF Law’s championship.